Light fixture for cabinet structures



Julne 28, 1938. H. E'. PLEASANT ET Al. f l 2,122,293

LIGHT FIXTURE FOR CABINET STRUCTURES Filed oct. 25, '19'36" 42 kfz u INVENTORS #www L mmm Y EN iw i dw ATTORNEY.

Patented June"2s,'193s UNITED STATES LIGHT 'FIXTURE FOB CABINET STRUCTURES ner'mn armena, Grana Rapids, Mich., 'and Carl H. Nauert, Evansville, Ind., assignors to Servel, Inc., New York, N. Y., a. corporation of Delaware Application october 2s, 193s, semi No. 107,112A

12 claims. (ci. 24o-4) This invention relates-to a light fixture and switch assembly for cabinet structures, and more particularly to such a iixture and switch assembly for illuminating the interior of cabinet structures ci the kind employed in refrigerators or the like. It is an object of our invention to provide an improved light fixture and switch assembly com of this specication, and of which Fig. 1 is afragmentary front view of a refrigerator embodying our invention; Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1 to illustrate the light fixture and switch assembly more clearly; Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2; and Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4 4 of Fig. 3.

Referring to Fig. 1, we have shown our invention in connection with a refrigerator cabinet I0 having a storage compartment II into which access may be had by a door I2 hinged to the front of the cabinet. 'Within the storage compartment II is arranged a cooling element I4 comprising a metal shell adapted to receive ice trays I5 and adjacent to or about which may be -arranged an evaporator coil (not shown) of refrigeration apparatus for producing cold in a wellknown manner.

The space between an inner' liner or shell I6 dening the storage compartment II and the outer shell I'I of the cabinet I0 is adapted to contain a suitable heat insulatingA material (not shown). The outer shell I1 extends about a wooden door frame I8 with the extreme edge thereof bearing against the forward part of the inner edge of the frame. The forward part of the inner shell I6 at the opening of the storage compartment II is rounded or curved and provided with an edge portion which bears against the rearof the inner edge of the frame I8. A trim strip I9 is secured to the inner edge of the frame I8 in any suitable manner, as by screws, and overlies the spaced edges of the outer and inner shells I6 and I1.

In accordance .with our invention we provide an improved light fixture and switch assembly 20 disposed above the door opening and at the forward part of the top wall of the inner shell I6 for automatically illuminating the interior of the storage compartment II when the door I2 is open. 'The light xture and switch vassembly comprise a hollow electrical connecting block or casing 2I having a removable cover plate 22, 5 the block and cover being formed of suitable insulating material and L-shaped, as shown in Fig. 4. The block 2I is provided with an opening in a side wall thereof to receive a conductor 23 which is adapted to be connected to a suitable source of electrical energy. The conductor 23 is adapted to be .connected to screws 24 positioned adjacent the opening. In one of the arms of the block 2I are arranged two thin strips 25 of electrically conductive material which are bowed inwardly from a point intermediate their ends. The strips 25 are disposed in spaced vertical planes and the lower edges at the extreme outer ends thereof are ared outward, as indicated at 26, to form two spring clips adjacent two openings or slots in the bottom of the block 2|. The outer ends of the strips 25 are maintained in alignment with the slots at the bottom of the block by an insulating stud 21 which extends upward from the bottom of the block adjacent the openings and between the strips, and an upward extending insulating stud 28 and protuberance 29 which bear against strips 25 at a point spaced from the stud 21.

In the other arm of the block 2| are arranged two flat strips 30 of electrical conductive material which are disposed alongside each other in a horlzontal plane. The outer ends of the strips 30 are secured at 3 I, as by rivets, to insulating raised portions of the casing 2l. The extreme outer ends of the strips 30 are bent downward and are curved in vertical planes to form spring clips adjacent two offset or staggered slots in the bottom of the block 2|. The inner ends of two of the strips 25 and 30 are fixed to the screws 24, 40

and the inner ends of the two other strips 25 and 30 are secured together at 32, as by a rivet, which causes the flat side of strip 30 to bear against the upper edge of strip 25.

The connecting block 2| is secured by two angle brackets 33 to the top part of the frame I8 so that the outer end of one arm of the block extends into a recess 34 formed in the frame i8 approximately at the center of the door opening. The recess 34 extends to the inside edge of the 50 frame I8 at which region' the trim strip I9 is provided with an aperture whereby a switch 35 can be plugged into the connecting block 2l. I'he switch 35 is provided with an operating but? ton 36 which extends through an opening formed in a iiange 31 which overlies the edge of the trim strip about the aperture and is secured thereto in any suitable manner, as by screws. The switch` 35 is provided with two spaced prongs 3B which are adapted to extend through two of the openings or slots in the bottom of the block 2| and frictionally engage the outer ends of the strips 25. The switch 35 is of a well-known type wherein an electrical circuit is closed or completed when the door is open and the operating button 36 is' v biased outward, as by a spring; and wherein the electrical circuit is open when the door I2 is .closed and the operating button 36 is pressed inward against the tension of the spring.

Directly beneath the connecting block 2| the top wall of the inner shell I6 is provided with an elongated opening ladapted to receive a reflector 39 provided with a flange adapted to overlie the edge of the shell about the opening. A suitable insulating gasket 40 may be xed to the underside of the flange whereby an air-tight seal is obtained when the reflector is positioned in the opening formed in the liner. Within the reflector 39 and at one end thereof is secured, as by a screw 4|, a light socket 42 having the base thereof extending through an opening in the top of the reflector. The light socket 42 is provided with two offset or staggered prongs 43 which are adapted to extend through the offset openings or slots formed in the bottom of the block 2| and frictionally engage the spring clips formed at the outer ends of the strips 3|). The light socket 42 is provided with a threaded socket 44 to receive an electric bulb 45 of the straight lament type.

The reflector 33 and light socket 42 are located approximately at the center of the door opening and at the forward part of the top wall of the inner shell I6, and are disposed between the inner and outer shells I6 and I'I, a's shown in Fig. 2. When the door I2 is open the switch 35 completes an electrical circuit including the strip 30 secured to one of the screws 24, light socket 42, the strips 30 and 25 having their inner ends secured together, switch 35 and the strip 25 secured tothe other of the screws 24. When the door I2 is closed the operating button 36 is pressed inwardly to open the electrical circuit and disconnect the bulb 45 from the source of electrical energy.

In view of the foregoing, it will be understood that a simple light fixture and switch assembly has been provided for cabinet structures. In the fabrication of the cabinet structure, it is only necessary to provide the recess 34 in the top part of the door frame I8 and secure the connecting block 2| to the frame before'the inner shell or liner I6 is fixed into position. When the inner shell I6 is secured into position within the outer shell I 'I and the trim strip I9 is fixed to the inside edge of the door frame, the opening formed in the top part of the inner shell will be directly beneath a portion of the connecting block 2| and the aperture in the trim strip I9 will be substantially in alignment with the recess 34 formed in the frame Il. Ihe construction of the connecting block 2| is such that it is not necessary to plug in switch 35 at a particular angle. When the switch 35 is inserted into position, the prongs 33 extend through the slots in the bottom of the block 2| and bear against the inside surfaces of the flat strips 25. The prongs 38 frictionally en gage the strip and. are movable angularly past the stud 21 so that the switch 35 can be plugged into theconnecting block at a number of different angles. Further, the slots at the bottom. of

the block 2| adjacent the ends of the strips 25 are suiliciently wide and the prongs 38 sufficiently long to permit the insertion of the prongs 38 into the slots even when the aperture is formed in the trim strip I9 so that the prongs are not in direct alignment with the slots. With the light socket 42 positioned at the forward part of the top wall of the inner shell I6, it is relatively easy to insert or change a bulb in the reector 39. The position of the light xture and switch assembly at the top part of the door opening is particularly advantageous because it permits all cabinet structures to be fabricated in the same manner irrespective of whether right or lefthand doors are provided on the cabinets.

Although we have described and illustrated a particular embodiment of our invention, it will be apparent that Various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of our invention, as pointed out in the following claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A cabinet structure comprising a frame forming an opening, a shell defining a compartment having the edges thereof at said frame, a door for closing the opening, said frame having a recess at the top side of the door opening, the top wall of said shell having an opening, an electrical connecting block in the region of said recess, a removable light socket adapted to be plugged into said connecting block through the opening in said shell, and a removable switch adapted to be positioned in said recess for plugging the same into said connecting block, said switch including an operating member located at an inside edge of said frame adapted to be contacted by .said door when it is in its closed position.

2. A cabinet structure comprising a frame forming an opening, a shell defining a compartment having the edges thereof at said frame, a door for closing the opening, said frame having a recess at the top side of the door opening, the top wall of said shell having an opening, an electrical connecting block secured to said frame in the region of said recess, a removable socket adapted to be plugged into said connecting block through the opening in said shell, a reflector secured to said light socket, said reflector and said socket in the plugged position of the latter being disposed above the top wall of said shell, and a. switch adapted to be positioned in said recess for plugging the same into said connecting block, said switch including an operating member located at an inside edge of said frame adapted to be contacted by said door when it is in its closed position.

3. A' cabinet structure comprising a frame forming an opening, spaced inner and outer shells having the edges thereof at said frame, a door for closing the opening, said frame having a recess at the top side of the door opening, said inner shell defining -a compartment and having an opening in the top wall thereof, an electrical connecting block secured to said frame in the region of said recess and having a portion disposed between said outer and inner shells and adjacent to the opening in the latter, a removable light socket adapted to be plugged into said connecting block through the opening in said inner shell whereby said socket is positioned between said innerA and outer shells, a reector cooperating with said socket and having a flange adaptedV to overlie the edge of said inner shell at the opening therein, and a switch adapted to be positioned in said recess for plugging the same into .said connecting block, said switch including an operating member located at an inside edge of said frame adapted to be contacted by said door when it is in its closed position.

4. A cabinet structure comprising a frame forming an opening, spaced inner and outer shells having the edges thereof at said frame, a trim strip arranged about said frame at the opening and overlying the edges of said inner and outer shells, a door for closing the opening, said trim strip having an aperture at the top side of the door opening, said frame having a recess in the region of the aperture, said inner shell dening a compartment and having an opening in the top wall thereof, an electrical connecting block secured to said frame and having a portion extending into the recess and another portion disposed between said outer and inner shells adjacent the opening in the latter, a removable light socket adapted to be plugged into said connecting'block through the opening in said inner shell, a reector secured to said light socket and adapted to be disposed at the opening in said inner shell, and aremovable switch adapted to be plugged into said connecting block through the aperture in said trim strip, said switch being disposed in said recess and including an operating member adapted to be contacted by said door when the latter is in its closed position.

5. A cabinet structure comprising a frame forming an opening, spaced inner and outer shells having the edges thereof at said frame, a trim strip arranged about said frame at the opening and overlying the edges of said inner and outer shells, a door for closing the opening, said trim strip having an aperture at the top side of the door opening, said inner shell defining a compartment and having an opening in the top wall thereof, an electrical connecting block secured to said frame, a removable light socket adapted to be plugged into said connecting block through the opening in said inner shell, a reflector associated with said light socket and adapted to fit into the opening in said inner shell, 'a' removable switch adapted to be plugged into said connecting block through the aperture in said trim strip, said frame being recessed to receive a part of said connecting block and said switch, and an operating member for said switch extending through the aperture insaid trim strip and adapted to be contacte'd by said door when it is in its closed position.

6. A cabinet structure comprising a frame hav-y ing an opening, spaced inner and outer shells having the edges thereof at said frame, a trim strip arranged aboutsaid frame at the opening and overlying the edges of said inner and'outer shells, a door for closing the opening, said trim strip having an aperture at the top side of the door opening, said inner shell dening a compartment and having an opening in the top wall thereof, an electrical connecting block secured to said frame and having a portion thereof adjacent the opening in said inner shell, a reflector having an opening, a light socket disposed in said reflector and having a part extending through the opening therein adapted to be plugged into said connecting block through the opening in said shell, said reflector having a flange adapted to overlie the edge of said inner shell at thev opening therein, a switch adapted to be plugged into said connecting block through the aperture in said trim strip, said frame being recessed to receive a part of said connecting block and said switch, and an operatingv member for said switch extending through the aperture in Vsaid trim strip and adapted to be contacted by said door when it is in its closed position.

7. A cabinet structure ycomprising a frame forming an opening, spaced inner and outer shells having the edges thereof at said frame, a trim stripv arranged about said'frame at the opening and overlying the edges of said inner and outer shells, a door for closing the opening, said trim strip having an aperture at the top side of the opening, said inner shell defining a compartment and having an opening in the top wall part thereof, a hollow casing secured to said frame in the region of said aperture and having two pairs of slots, strips of electrically conductive material arranged in said casing and having portions thereof adjacent to said slots, a light socket provided with prongs adapted to be inserted into one pair of slots through the opening in said inner 'shell whereby said prongs frictionally engage portions of said strips, a switch provided with -prongs adapted to be inserted into the other pair of slots through the aperture in said trim strip whereby said prongs also frictionally engage portions of said strips in said casing, said frame being recessed to receive a part of said casing and said switch, and an operating` member for said switch extending through the aperture in said trim strip and adapted to be contacted by said door when it is in its closed position.

8. A. cabinet structure comprising a frame forming an opening, spaced inner and outer shells having the edges thereof at said frame, a trim strip` arranged about said frame at the opening and overlying the edges of said inner and outer shells, a door for closing the opening, said trim strip ,having an aperture at the top side of the door opening, said inner shell defining a compartment and having an opening-in the top wall thereof, a hollow casing secured to said frame at the region of said aperture and having two pairs of slots in the bottom thereof, strips of electrically conductive material arranged in said casing and having portions thereof adjacent to said slots, a light socket provided with prongs adapted to be inserted in one pair of slots through the opening in said inner shell whereby said Vprongs frictionally engage portions of said strips, a switch provided with prongs adapted to be inserted into the other pair of slots through the aperture in said trim strip, said prongs on said switch being narrower than said slots to permit said prongs to slide along the surfaces of said` strips and move angularly in said slots, and an operating member on said switch extending through thel aperture in said trim strip and adapted to be contacted by said door when it is moved to its closed position.

9. A cabinet structure comprising a frame forming an opening, spaced inner and outer shells having the edges thereof at said frame, a -trim striparranged about said frame at the opening and overlying the edges of said inner and outer shells, a door for closing the opening, said trim strip having an aperture at the top side of the door opening, a hollow casing secured to said other pair of slots through the aperture in said trim strip whereby said prongs also frictionally engage portions of said strips, said frame being recessed to receive a part of said casing and said switch, said slots adapted to receive said switch prongs being of such size and said switch prongs being of such length that said switch prongs can be inserted into said slots and frictionally engage portions of -said strips when said switch prongs and cooperating slots are not in direct alignment.

10. In a refrigerator cabinet having a door, an interior lighting system including an electrical connecting block located in a recess in a wall of said cabinet and secured in place during fabrication of the cabinet, there being openings in said wall affording communication with said block, a switch removably plugged into said block through one oi' said openings, anda lamp socket removably plugged into said blockthrough another of said openings, said switch being constructed and arranged .to be operated by movement of said door, and said lamp socket being located within said cabinet, whereby said lamp socket and switch may be plugged in after completion of the cabinet.

11. In a refrigerator cabinet having a door and comprising spaced inner and outer walls, an interior lighting system for said cabinet including an electrical connecting block secured in the space between said inner and outer walls and which is secured in place during fabrication of the cabinet, openings affording communication from the interior of said cabinet to said connecting block, a switch removably plugged into said block through one of said openings and constructed and arranged to be operated by movement of said door, and a lamp socket removably plugged into said block through another of said openings, whereby said lamp socket and switch may be plugged in after completion of the cabinet and readily removed or replaced.

12. A cabinet and an interior lighting system for the cabinet including an electrical connecting block located in a recess in a. wall of the cabinet and secured in place during fabrication of the cabinet, openings in the cabinet wall affording communication with said connecting block, a switch removably plugged into said block through one of said openings, and a lamp socket removably plugged into said block through another of said openings, whereby said lamp socket and switch may be plugged in after completion of the cabinet and readily-removed or replaced.

HERMAN E. PLEASANT. CARL H. NAUERT. 

